Israel-Hamas war latest: 'This is no time to abandon the front' - Benjamin Netanyahu reacts to Benny Gantz resignation (2024)

A far-right has demanded a seat in the cabinet following Benny Gantz's resignation.

National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said he had issued his request to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

"Now, in light of Gantz's retirement, I have issued a demand to the prime minister demanding to join the reduced cabinet," he said on X.

"The time has come to make brave decisions, achieve real deterrence and bring security to the residents of the south, the north, and Israel as a whole."

Ultra-nationalist Jewish Power, headed by Mr Ben-Gvir, holds six seats in the Israeli parliament.

Following in the footsteps of Benny Gantz, another member of Israel's war cabinet has resigned.

Gadi Eisenkot said decisions have been made by the government which are "not necessarily driven by the national consideration and the good of the country".

Like Mr Gantz, Mr Eisenkot has clashedrepeatedly with the religious nationalist members of Benjamin Netanyahu'sgovernment, who have remained adamantly opposed to any politicalsettlement with the Palestinians.

The former Israel Defence Forces chief wrote: "It is time for us to end our duties and leave the government, believing that in this way we will faithfully serve the citizens of Israel."

"Despite my multiple efforts, along with those of my colleagues, the cabinet headed by you has for a long time avoided making decisive decisions," he said in a letter addressed to Mr Netanyahu.

"This avoidance actually harms the strategic situation and the national security of the state of Israel."

Mr Eisenkot served as an observer in the cabinet and was a minister for the National Unity party.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid reacted to both of their resignations on X.

"Gantz and Eisenkot's decision to leave the failed government is important and just," he said.

"The time has come to replace this extreme government with a sane government that will lead to the return of security to the citizens of Israel, to the return of the hostages, to the restoration of Israel's economy and international status."

Benny Gantz is positioning himself to be the next prime minister of Israel, Sky's Alex Rossi has said.

While Mr Gantz's resignation does not mean the Israeli government will fall, it is a "massive body blow to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu", our international correspondent said.

He added from Jerusalem: "He's not only quit the war cabinet - he's kind of pitching to be the next prime minister.

"He's also calling on Netanyahu to set a date for elections in October - the one year anniversary [of the 7 October Hamas attacks] so the Israelis themselves can decide."

Rossi said Mr Gantz had "accused the prime minister of Israel of putting his own political ambitions, needs, desires before those of the state of Israel and the hostages still in Gaza".

Mr Gantz has a lot of influence, Rossi said, observing: "He's a former chief of general staff in the IDF - a man of great stature."

Having him in the war cabinet had given Benjamin Netanyahu "credibility", Rossi said.

Israel's prime minister has reacted to the resignation of Benny Gantz from the country's war cabinet.

According to Reuters, Benjamin Netanyahu has told the centrist minister: "This is no time to abandon the front."

Mr Gantz's resignation had been expected, In fact, he was due to announce his departure yesterday.

The move comes after he gave Mr Netanyahu an 8 June deadline to come up with a post-war plan for Gaza.

Benny Gantz has confirmed his resignation from Israel's emergency government.

The country's centrist war cabinet minister was expected to make the move yesterday, but delayed it following the rescue of four hostages from Gaza.

Addressing the nation, he said the decision was "complex and painful".

"Leaving with a heavy heart, Netanyahu is preventing us from progressing to a real victory," he said.

Mr Gantz also said the Israeli government needs to put the return of the hostages seized by Hamas on 7 October "above political survival".

He called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to set an election date.

His decision means the onlycentrist power in the embattled leader's far-right coalition has been withdrawn.

Last month, Mr Gantz presented Mr Netanyahu with an 8 June deadline to come up with a clear day-after strategy for Gaza.

The departure of Mr Gantz does not pose an immediate threat to Mr Netanyahu's governing coalition, but it could have a serious impact.

With Mr Gantz gone, Mr Netanyahu could lose the backing of a centrist bloc that has helped broaden support for the government in Israel and abroad.

An incident has been reported near Yemen's port city of Aden, the UK Maritime Trade Operations has said.

In an alert on X, the organisation said it received a report and authorities were investigating.

Vessels have been warned to take caution in the area.

Yemen's Houthi group has been attacking vessels in the area for months, saying it is targeting ships linked to Israel in retaliation for the country's war in Gaza.

But many ships have no Israeli connection.

The uncle of rescued hostage Almog Meir Jan has spoken to reporters today following his nephew's return.

Aviram Meir praised Israeli forces for their efforts in bringing him home.

"Yesterday, we had a very big surprise that Almog arrived in an incredible operation that the Israel Defence Forces did," he added.

Almog was one of four hostages rescued from the Nuseirat area of Gaza.

The Hamas-run health ministry has said 274 Palestinians were killed during the operation.

The Israel Defence Forces has released some more details about yesterday's hostage rescue.

During the mission, which has been named the Arnon Operation, the battalion combat paratrooper patrol led the hostages from vehicles while under fire, it said.

The air force, fighters from the Sheldag unit and the navy also coordinated airstrikes and the use of fire throughout the mission, it added.

The operation was named after Commander Arnon Zamora who was killed while trying to rescue the captives.

"The fighters of Unit 669 and the Sheldag unit fought for the life of the late Commander Arnon Zamora from the moment of the collision until arriving at the hospital, where he died from his wounds," the IDF said.

Three hostages were killed during Israel's rescue operation yesterday, the armed wing of Hamas has said.

In a post on Telegram, the militant group said one of the captives killed held American citizenship.

"We inform you that against these, your army killed three prisoners in the same camp, one of whom holds American citizenship," Hamas said.

The group also shared a video warning other captives will not be released until Palestinian prisoners held in Israel are released.

Four hostages were rescued during Israel's operation.

Three of the four hostages freed by Israeli forces yesterday spent the last month in captivity together, one of their uncles has said.

Speaking after his nephew, Almog Meir Jan, returned home, Aviram Meir said the trio, made up of Almog, Andrey Kozlov and Shlomi Ziv, had made a "wonderful team".

"They got in touch together and they supported each other and they are very good friends now," he said.

"I thank them for the support."

He said he was pleased to see 21-year-old Almog wasn't thin because it meant Hamas had allowed him to eat during his eight months of captivity.

"Yesterday, we had a very big surprise that Almog arrived in an incredible operation that the Israel Defence Forces did," he added.

"We met a guy which we love, and we know is safe and sound.

"He's been in the Hamas captivity for the last eight months and we think that he's okay. We'll see it in the next few days, but he's okay."